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SBS Barbados 2008 Rum (Foursquare)

Barbados
55%
£90

Single Blended Rum – A blend of only pot still and traditional column still.

ABV Hydrometer Test: 55% ABV @ 20°

* B

Today I am writing about another independent bottling of rum from one of my favourite distilleries…..Foursquare in Barbados. Having written about the virtues of Foursquare on many previous occasions, anyone who knows me is aware of my admiration for what I consider to be one of the finest distilleries in the world.

The rum I am tasting is from a single cask yielding 371 bottles. It has been bottled in Denmark by 1423 Single Barrel Selection (SBS). The rum was distilled in 2008 and bottled in November 2017 having been “finished” for 12 months in casks that previously held Marsala wine for five years. That makes this a nine year old rum although there is no official reference to the age on the bottle nor to the ratio of tropical to European ageing that has taken place. Their web site does mention the nine years of ageing though. It has not been chill filtered and comes in at 55%.

Under Richard Seale’s/Luca Gargano’s proposed rum categorisation, this would most-likely be classed as a “Single Blended Rum” – A blend of only pot still and traditional column still. My hydrometer test measured 55%, the same as the label.

Bottle/Presentation 2/3

The bottle is slightly squat and has a distinctive aquamarine coloured label full of useful info such as the number of bottles (371), distillation date (2008), bottling date (November 2017) and ABV (55%). Curiously, under “still type” it says “N/A” although following previous conversations I’ve had with Master Blender/Distiller at Foursquare, Mr. Richard Seale, he has told me that all barrels purchased from Foursquare are blends of both pot and column still rums.

The bottle is housed in a white outer box with a hinged lid and window in the front.

SBS Barbados 2008 Rum (Foursquare): Bottle / Label

Glass/Aroma 9/10

Medium to deep amber and slightly coppery colour in the glass, the rum displays medium density legs that drop down my glass at a medium pace.

Nosing reveals Foursquare’s familiar toffee and varnish combination. Initially, it is quite a powerful nose that also has citrus, soft oak, raisins and peppery notes.

Taste, Initial-middle 33/40

On entry there are pepper and citrus flavours. A touch of salted caramel, almost chocolate like that feels buttery and some raisin notes, too.

Towards the middle of the palate a bit of fire develops – well it is 55% so I do not expect it not to have a bit of rum fire. Two to three drops of water is enough to stop any fire if that kind of thing bothers you.

Taste, Middle/Throat 34/40

SBS Barbados 2008 Rum (Foursquare): Bottle

In the middle of the mouth, there is a hint of sweetness becoming stronger and more powerful than the entry tasting. It still feels buttery, almost creamy.

Towards the rear of the palate more pepper develops alongside spice and a hint of vanilla accompanied by burnt caramel.

Even with a few drops of water, it still has a bit of rum fire to it, not unpleasant, in fact it’s very warming.

Afterburn 6/7

This rum has a medium length finish with plenty of pepper. The oak continues to develop and leads to increased astringency. There is a touch of bitterness too, presumably from the oak influence.

TOTAL 84/100

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Overall

In the UK, we are very fortunate to have lots of independent bottlers of fine rums available and this is a great example. 1423 SBS have taken rum from one of the finest distilleries in the world and allowed it to shine, free from adulteration or marketing b*llsh*t – just great quality, honest rum.

The fiery nature of the rum makes me assume there is slightly more pot than column still rum in this blend, but that is just me speculating.

My only criticism would be the price. At £90 it is a pricey bottle compared to something like Foursquare ECS VII Dominus for example, which costs around £55.

But don’t let that put you off…..if you have the spare cash, go and buy one. If you enjoy Foursquare rums, I guarantee you will love this.

Every time I try a Foursquare rum, it reminds me of how great rum can be. Other distilleries take note!!!

Review No. 120

*P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.

Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn Out of 7TOTAL 100

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Published by Rum Shop Boy

Rum Ambassador | Reviews | Opinions | Consultant.
A lover of rums, especially British-style from countries such as Jamaica and Barbados.
Rum ambassador. Reviews. Rum opinions. Rum advice. Rum news. Rum chat. Rum discussion.
My first rum was Appleton and that is generally the benchmark I use for comparing rums along with Foursquare.
I am an advocate of the Gargano rum re-categorisation.
As well as rum, I am a big Liverpool fan (and season ticket holder) and love Pet Shop Boys (hence the blog name) as well as having a cute cocker spaniel. I also work as a Spirit Ambassador for English Spirit, the first scratch distiller of rum in the UK.
I have a level 1 WSET qualification in Spirits (currently studying for level 2).
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